Serving cabinet



March 4, 1941. E. M. GRIGGS I SERVING CABINET Filed March 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 4, 1941. E. M. GRIGGS SERVING CABINET Filed March 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to cabinets, and its general object is to provide a cabinet, in the form of a so-called coffee table or bar, and is to be used as such, that is for serving beverages, re-

freshments and the like, as well as for housing bottles, glasses and a container for ice or the like, for use in mixing and cooling drinks, the bottles, etc., being supported and held against casual removal or displacement, so as to prevent breakage or spilling of their contents. I

A further object is to provide a cabinet of the character set forth, that is extremely ornamental in appearance, as it includes a translucent and mirrored glass covered top and is preferably il- 5 luminated by gas filled tubes of the type known as neon tubes, therefore it will be obvious that my cabinet makes a very attractive, yet useful piece of furniture for a living room or the like.

Another object is to provide a cabinet for the purpose set forth, that is simple in construction,

inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely eflicient in use and service.

This invention alsoconsists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the cabinet which forms the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 44 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the neon tube for my cabinet and the circuit therefor.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that my cabinet in the form as shown is of elliptical shape and includes a base frame I having the bottom wall 2 supported thereon, and the frame I is exteriorly recessed to provide a seat for the lower edge of the body wall 3, the

latter having its upper edge seated in an exteriorly disposed recess in the top frame 4 that is likewise interiorly recessed to provide a seat for a marginal section 5 of the glass cover or enclosure for the top of my cabinet. The marginal section is preferably of translucent glass of the 5 frosted type, and the inner edge thereof is beveled for fitting engagement with the beveled outer edge of a center or main section '6, the latter being coated to provide a reflecting or mirrored surface. I

Extending along the longitudinal center of the body between the ends thereof is a partition 1 dividing the cabinet into a front compartment 8 and a rear compartment 9, and the rear portion of the body is provided with an opening 15 centrally and throughout the height thereof to provide access to the interior of the cabinet, the opening being closed by doors 9 hinged to the side edges of the opening and meeting along the vertical center thereof, with knobs on the doors, 20

as shown. The partition 1 terminates below the top of the cabinet so as to provide access to the front compartment.

Secured to the partition and that portion of the body wall providing the rear compartment, 25 is a shelf or false bottom 1'0 disposed in close proximity to the bottom wall 2 and provided with circular openings H and I2, the openings H being adapted to receive glasses, while the open ings l2 are adapted to receive bottles, which like 30 the glasses are to rest upon the bottom wall 2, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. The shelf I0 is likewise provided with a substantially semicircular recess l3 extending therein centrally from the opening in the bottom wall, and the re- 35 cess I3 is adapted to receive a dish or a container for ice and which likewise rests upon the bottom wall, as clearly shown in Figure 3. The partition has also secured thereto a bracket member l4 upon which is mounted a relatively 4o narrow elongated shelf I5 overlying the shelf l0, and having openings I6 therein to frictionally receive glasses to be supported with respect to the shelf l5. By the provision of the openings in the shelves, it will be obvious that the glasses and 45 bottles will be held against casual removal or displacement.

In the form as shown, it will be noted that my cabinet is illuminated by a gas filled .tube l'l generally known as a neon tube, and the tube 50 I! like the general outline of the cabinet is of elliptical or substantially oval shape, as well as is supported below and in close proximity to the translucent section 5 of the glass cover or enclosure for the top of my cabinet, as best shown 55 in Figure 2. The supporting means for the tube is shown as being screw bolts l8 threaded in and depending from the top frame 4, and having their shanks bent at right angles upon themselves to be directed toward the center of the cabinet, the shanks having cushioning sleeves I9 of rubber or the like thereon, with the tubes restin upon the sleeves.

The front compartment preferably has a partition 20 therein, providing a relatively small chamber or compartment 2| for a transformer 22, for the tube, and the transformer is connected to the tube by conductor 23 as well as connected to a suitable source of current by conductors 24, one of which has a switch 25 therein for controlling the circuit to the tube, the switch being of the pivoted type in the form as shown, and is preferably secured to the body Wall. The conductors 24 are of the usual cord type that has a pronged connector 26 secured thereto for connection with the usual socket member for ;-.'the outlet of a house circuit, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figures 1 and 5.

From the above description and disclosure in ,thedrawings, it will be obvious that I have provided a cabinet that is primarily designed to be used-as a. serving table, as well as a housing for bottles, glasses, etc., and due to the lighting effect produced by the illuminating means, and the particular glass cover, it will be further obvious that my cabinet .is very attractive and can serve asa-lamp. In any event the interior of the cabinet will be amply illuminated, and sufficient light;

rays will pass through the translucent section to give a subdued or indirect lighting effect.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A serving cabinet of elliptical formation and comprising a base frame, a body wall and a bottom wall mounted on the base frame, a top wall including a frame mounted on the upper edge of the body wall and extending inwardly therefrom, the top frame being recessed to provide a seat about the inner edge thereof, a closure including a marginal translucent portion mounted on the seat and having a beveled inner edge, a mirrored portion having a beveled outer edge to fit and mounted on the beveled inner edgeof the translucent portion for the latter to support the mirrored portion, an elliptical shaped neon tube, and cushioning means secured to and extending inwardly from the top frame and supporting the tube below and in close proximity to the translucent portion to follow the shape thereof.

EARLM. GRIGGS. 

